How to spend this weekend in London including Carnaby Street’s lights

4,118. That’s the number of people recorded as rough sleepers in London between January and March 2024.

But by donating £1 when you eat at one of the 600+ restaurants (including Lina Stores and Quaglino’s) taking part in StreetSmart’s scheme to tackle homelessness, you’d be making a huge difference. 

5. Go on a culinary journey across southern Italy at Fumo

By Jeremy Ullmann

Snugly positioned on the historic St Martin’s Lane, San Carlo’s Fumo is elegant through and through. With tables of white marble and walls of cream and gold, Fumo feels like it should be exclusively for Milan’s most fashionable. But instead (thankfully), it is an affordable culinary journey across southern Italy.

Though the food lacked ‘cooked by nonna’ quality, standouts were the arancini bursting with beef ragu and the excellent fregola with bottarga (dried mullet roe) – which had that unique Sardinian fishiness London has often fails to nail. And all this for prices that don’t cost the earth? Fantastico!

Mains from £10.50. 37 St Martin’s Ln, Covent Garden. Book here.

6. Watch Carnaby Street light up

Now that tube strikes are officially off, what better way to spend a Thursday evening than among shopping entertainment and seasonal cheer? Carnaby Street will launch its Christmas light installation Into the Light, featuring six-metre sculptural light forms.

Plus, don’t miss one-night-only offers from the likes of MAC, Wolf & Badger, Paul Smith, and more. 

7. Eat at Battersea’s newest curry house Tamila

By Kitty Chrisp

Run by ex-roti King chef Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson, Tamila is Battersea’s newest, and arguably best, curry house. Sister to Islington’s celebrated The Tamil Prince, this dimly-lit spice heaven is perfect for a date night. The buttery paneer puts even modern curry king Dishoom to shame, while the tandoori chicken is a seasoning sensation.

Don’t expect a huge bowl of bright pink British curry on a bed of mushy rice, but instead sumptuous small plates to share that pack a tasty punch, putting a welcome twist on Indian dining. You must – I repeat, must – try the Gunpowder Margarita, too. It’s the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve had many).

Expect friendly staff  – thank you Josephine – and good vibes only. Plates from £10 each, with a few recommended per person. It’s not super cheap, but damn, it’s tasty.

39 Northcote Road, Clapham Junction. Book here.

Best places to eat

8. Go for a Michelin-starred West African lunch at Chishuru

By Lola Christina Alao

Chishuru goes big with the first dish on their lunch set menu – Sinasir, a fermented rice cake. It’s a deconstructed version of the well-loved jollof rice, topped with deliciously sweet cherry tomatoes, clementine & chilli dressing, and bronze fennel fronds. I quickly take a second bite in shock, as if the plate of food would run away from me. It’s hard to believe the famous dish (that has become a bit of a West African celebrity) could be topped, but I think Chishuru just might have done it. 

The next standout? Yassa, moreishly tender charcoal-grilled guinea fowl breast, accompanied by a beautiful lemon sauce. Each dish on the menu has a different texture, which makes for a consistently exciting journey. Pair yours with the Suya & Smoke cocktail, which blends pleasant bitterness from blood orange syrup with smoky Mezcal, finished with a nutty suya spice rim. 

The decor is elegant and pastel themed. Abstract ornaments dress the shelves and the lighting is soft. It feels noticeably homely – guests are told to ‘come as they are’, as there’s no dress code here. Chishuru is clearly not afraid to make clear what kind of restaurant it is (its own website states that despite its accolade, it’s not fine dining). This made what was my first Michelin-starred meal feel special yet inviting, a feeling sometimes missing from high-end restaurants in Fitzrovia and the surrounding areas.

Adejoké Bakare is the chef behind the restaurant, and is the first Black woman in Britain to receive a Michelin star. A huge (and well-deserved) achievement and hopefully an example of many more to come.  

Lunch set menu, £45pp. 3 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia. Book here.

9. Transport yourself to Barcelona at The Campaner

By Jeremy Ullmann

The Campaner’s dining hall is deceptively huge, with giant paradise plants that stretch well above human height, while enormous Basque cheesecakes sit patiently on the glass counter. It’s an impressive space that feels ill-suited to Catalan food – which is known to be wholesome but not exactly chic. The Campaner certainly is wholesome, with an astonishingly well-priced £35 lunch menu, but what caught me by surprise was just how tasty they have made even the simplest of traditional dishes.

Grilled asparagus is made rich and luxurious by nutty, tomato-based romesco sauce, while the papada iberico (translucent slices of pork cut from the fatty part of a pig’s neck) adds a smokey dimension to an already fantastic dish.

A generously-sized plate of Iberian pork rice with bravas sauce is the showstopper, finished off with a char-grilled top that is as impressive to look at as it is tasty. Chelsea rarely does food this good at this price. I’m not even convinced it tastes this good in Barcelona.

Fixed lunch menu from £35. Chelsea Barracks, 1 Garrison Sq. Book here.

10. Feast on decadent Turkish food at Leydi

By Lola Christina Alao

This all-day Turkish restaurant in Hyde London City hotel might be modern, but you won’t find teeny tiny plates here. Instead, expect beautiful dishes with complex flavours that will leave you happy and satisfied. Even the humble crisp gets a glow up, generously coated in sumac and baharat spices with an accompanying yoghurt dip. 

The dolma (vine leaves stuffed with tomato rice) are packed with flavour while the seasonal tomato salad is deliciously fresh. And the kunefe dessert, a syrupy cheese pastry which my friend tells me is a breakfast favourite in her dad’s home country of Lebanon, is sweet and decadent in the best way. For delicious Turkish food and an equally lovely atmosphere, it’s worth paying Leydi a visit.

Meze from £6. Hyde London, 15 Old Bailey, Holborn. Book here.

11. Sample the maeun saeu at Miga

By Martina Andretta

When was the last time you ordered a dish at a restaurant… Twice? And not because you and your date wanted the same starter – but because you just had to have more. That’s exactly what happened during my visit to Miga, in Hackney, when I tried their succulent japchae (glass noodles), and seriously considered a third serving.

This family-run Korean restaurant is understated and earnest (you’ll love it if open kitchens are your thing), and lets the food and service do the talking. The mood is welcoming and casual (‘You were here last month before your trip to Korea, weren’t you? How was it?’). I wholeheartedly recommend the maeun saeu (king prawns with gochujang sauce), but remember to bring your own booze if you’re going all out. If it’s not at the top of your list of new places to try, it should be. And good luck getting a spot.

£35-50pp. 1 Mare St, Hackney. Book here.

12. Learn about Burmese food at Lahpet Larder

By Sophie Laughton

The area around Bermondsey Street was once called the ‘larder of London’, which makes sense for historical reasons (there were a lot of food warehouses here) and for modern ones (it’s home to a solid half mile of top-notch restaurants). One of the newest arrivals is Lahpet Larder, the third opening of Burmese chain, and it fits right in. Although still finding its feet, it’s cosy and unfussy, with shelves at the front selling authentic house-made and Myanmar imports for you to enjoy at home.

Steaming bowls of braised aubergine and intense, warming King Prawn Curry are brought to your table as they’re ready, but wait for a side of fresh, tangy ginger or lahpet (tea leaf) salad before you tuck in – you’ll need it to liven up all the sweet, sticky spice. It’s worth a visit as a solid intro to Burmese food – and for the frankly addictive bowl of milk tea foam that comes with the sugar-dusted paratha dessert. They should sell that at the door, seriously.

Large plates from £10. 39-45 Bermondsey St. Book here.

13. Tuck in at celeb-owned Trejo’s Tacos

By Courtney Pochin

Can you picture Danny Trejo? You know, everyone’s favourite movie mercenary… No? Well, don’t worry, you’ll never forget his face after a visit to Trejo’s Tacos in Notting Hill, because a giant mural of the actor is plastered along the wall (and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the star in real life).

His restaurant, which also has a site in LA, has a tasty menu, some interesting decor choices, and very friendly staff. Start with chips and cheesy bean dip, then follow up with classic carnitas or (the most popular) beer battered cod tacos. Don’t forget to order the churros for dessert (the Mexican chocolate dipping sauce is worth all the calories).

For an authentic drinks pairing, opt for a glass of the house horchata, a sweet rice beverage made with almond milk. This won’t be the cheapest meal of your life, but it’ll be good fun and you might even see someone famous.

£6-7 per taco. 299-301, Portobello Rd, Notting Hill. Book here.

14. David Bowie fan? Hit up The Thin White Duke

By Juliet Walsh

Sprinkling a little (Ziggy) Stardust over Soho is The Thin White Duke, a David Bowie-themed bar known for its creative cocktails and tasty dim sum. If you’re looking for something sweet and floral, ‘China Girl’ is the one to give you that ‘Soul Love’. The Shanghai Pan Fried Chicken Dumpling and prawn toast were the standouts, I was really impressed by how much filling was packed in the Pan Fried Dumplings which were bursting with flavour and had the perfect amount of crisp.

The prawn toast is refined, flavorful version — not your typical chippy offering, but an elevated dish with perfectly balanced seasonings. And if that doesn’t all sound cool enough, it also houses a hidden gem — a speakeasy recording studio! With its blend of great food and world-class studios, The Thin White Duke’s homage to music history, is keeping the heart of London’s rock scene beating.

Dim sum from £3.50. 22b Great Windmill Street, Soho. Book here.

15. Get your five a day in style at Holy Carrot

By Sama Ansari Pour

Before we even get started on the food, we have to talk about the decor. Cosy, intimate and stylish. Perfect for a first date or really good Instagram pics – take your pick. Now, onto the main event: the menu is seasonal and shifts depending on what’s fresh, so you know that thought and care has been put into the dishes you’re about to eat. Take my word for it and order the stracciatella, peach, hazelnut, pumpkin seed salsa matcha.

The combo sounds strange, but works so well. The juicy peach bursts in your mouth, whilst the creamy stracciatella (complemented with a hint of spicy salsa) takes you on a culinary journey you didn’t know you needed. You won’t miss meat if you order the oyster mushroom al pastor.

It tastes just the same, or dare I say better? Top it off with a matcha ‘tiramisu’ (I would eat five of them in a row) and that’s your perfect dinner curated. I might have to go vegan now.

Small plates from £8. 156 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill. Book here.

Where to go for a drink

16. Try the Hippodrome’s newest bar Archive & Myth

By Jeremy Ullmann

Like so much at the Hippodrome, Archive and Myth – the Casino’s newest bar – is quite theatrical. A password (in the form of a series of images you press) opens the door, revealing a staircase leading down below the casino.

There is little subtly to the design of the bar, with an exposed brick wall on one side, ceiling-to-floor red drapes on another, with fabric sofas dotted around on top of a patterned carpet. The cocktail menu is creative, using an interesting variety of ingredients you’ll find yourself needing to Google. ‘Daisy’ was our pick – a refreshing melange of tequila, guava, and black cardamom topped with a sweet coconut foam. 

Cocktails from £11 (half size). The Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square. Book here.

17. May Fair Bar

If you’re feeling bougie but don’t fancy fiddly fine dining, head to the newly reopened May Fair Bar. When I say newly, I mean their doors only opened from a full refurbishment on Thursday last week and I was one of the first in. Design-wise, it’s all earthy mushroom tones and creamy neutrals, with smooth stone surfaces and comfort at its core.

Speaking of mushroom and cream, the food and drink offering is divided into ‘by day’ and ‘by night’, and within that into ‘brunch’, ‘lunch’ and ‘night bites’. Brunch is on until 3pm, with food and drink options following a theme, called ‘The Travel Edition’, delivering dishes from a Malabar King Prawn Curry to a stunningly buttery Rigatoni al Funghi. If you’re there ‘by night’, aka from 4pm, it’s suddenly a sexy cocktail bar, serving innovative cocktails like ‘The Olive’, a dry Martini made with mastiha in lieu of vermouth and an exploding molecular olive.

Chase with some night nibbles, such as their insane lobster brioche or flavour-packed Iranian keema doughnuts with minced lamb and crispy masala potatoes. It’s one of those places you’ll go to for brunch, stay for lunch and leave at sundown… or later.

The May Fair Bar, The May Fair Hotel, Stratton St (enter via Berkeley Street). Book here.

18. Raise a glass at Good Measure, beneath Tooting’s Daddy Bao

By Lola Christina Alao

New basement bar Good Measure is hidden in the basement of Tooting’s neighbourhood restaurant Daddy Bao. It’s all very intimate — you’re seated around one big rectangular table in the centre of the small, softly-lit space.

Expect a selection of drinks that use ingredients and flavours inspired by Taiwan’s vibrant culinary scene (our fave is the plum green delicately made with sake, whisky and green tea). And the bar snacks? They’re not just your typical fare, we’re talking succulent beef tataki, tuna tartare on nori rice crackers, and spicy furikake crisps. The old skool hip hop and low fi playlist are a great addition too. Experience Good Measure on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bar snacks from £3. Cocktails from £11. Downstairs at Daddy Bao. 113 Mitcham Road. Tooting. Walk-in only.

What’s on

19. Feed your nostalgia at Stormzy’s House Party

Nothing beats a house party. Except maybe Stormzy’s House Party? Okay fine, he won’t be there in person, but the bar is his latest venture and it’s not your average night out. Open from 8pm til late, Thursday to Saturday.

Book here to secure your invitation. 

20. Check out inspiring artworks by diverse artists at Hope93

Founded by Aki Abiola, Hope93 is a brand new gallery in Fitzrovia that showcases work by historically underrepresented talent and seeks to make fine art accessible to all.

Having opened just in time for Black History Month, the ultra-cool space features include incredible paintings by self-taught Tanzanian artist Sungi Mlengeya and Tunji Adenyi-Jones’s vibrant artwork that fuses Renaissance-inspired details with Yoruba folklore.

54 Eastcastle St, Fitzrovia. Free.

21. Watch Why a Black Woman Will Never Be Prime Minister explore themes of intersectionality and politics

By Lola Christina Alao

Zakiyyah Deen’s debut play sees her star as Shanice Laybá (Zakiyyah Deen) as she navigates her first year of university, juggling a new job as an assistant to Ryan Whittle (John Gainsborough) who is in the middle of an election campaign. The play is set over nine months and is an exploration of the racial inequalities surrounding women’s maternal healthcare, and politics.

Though there are plenty of laughs, the play doesn’t shy away from talking about disparities, and shines a light on maternal mortality for black women being almost four times higher than for white women. Directed by social commentator and storyteller Kelechi Okafor, Why a Black Woman will never be Prime Minister is a refreshing addition to the theatre space that tackles pressing issues pertaining to Black women.

22. Learn about the Black pioneers of British Ballet

The Pioneers of Black British Ballet exhibition spotlights the achievements of Black ballet dancers in a space where they had to fight for their visibility.

Celebrating trailblazers Vincent Hantam, Christian Holder, Brenda Garratt-Glassman and featuring untold stories, archive photography, film, newspaper articles and posters. 

23. Do just about everything (including learn how to twerk) at south London pub Prince of Peckham

Great things (and people) have come out of the south side of London: The Shard, Stormzy, Ian Wright. And Black owned pub Prince Of Peckham, which describes itself as a pub by south London for south London. It’s become somewhat of a hub for.. well, just about everything.

You can get food and drink here by White Men Can’t Jerk, and you can also learn how to twerk at one of their twerk after work classes. Or, join their monthly karaoke party.

24. Try your hand at Jury Duty and interrogate a defendant

By Martina Andretta

If you are the kind of person who loves a good mystery, Jury Duty is for you. Part immersive play, part puzzle, during this interactive experience you will become a juror on a criminal case.

As part of a group, you will have 90 minutes to examine all available evidence and interrogate the defendant, Harry Briggs, played by a terrific live actor who will be available via video link. Fast-paced and full of twists, the case won’t be as simple as it first seemed.

Jury Duty overdelivers – it’s brilliantly moderated by a representative of the ‘Ministry of Justice’ (who we drove to exhaustion to the point she had to ‘text her mum’. Sorry Imogen). It’s a great choice for a team-building event, an alternative night out with friends or a fun date. After breaking the ice, you’ll find yourself grilling Mr Briggs as if you did it for a living, and you’ll be sad you won’t be able to experience Jury Duty for the first time again. Unmissable.

Tickets start at £42.50. Theatre Deli, 107 Leadenhall St. Book here.

25. Enter the Bat Cave at Batman Unmasked

By Sophie Laughton

The Bat is back. At least, all his cloaks, gizmos and gadgets are. In honour of the caped crusader’s 85th birthday, a new exhibition has landed in London’s Covent Garden that will delight Batfans from every generation. Beginning in Wayne Manor, journey through a brilliant series of themed rooms, each packed with a huge selection of original props, costumes and memorabilia from all the major movie adaptations.

Highlights include Uma Therman’s dazzling Poison Ivy costume, Heath Ledger’s legendary nurse outfit and clown mask as the Joker, the Batmobile from 2022’s gritty The Batman (parked fittingly in a smoke filled garage), and a tiny cowl from The LEGO Batman Movie.

Not a film buff? Get the full Gotham experience walking through eerie immersive rooms or hit up the interactive gaming room to race a Scalextric Batmobile or rescue your pals from a burning building. But you best be quick – the Batman won’t be staying for long…

Tickets £21. Until 30 December. 45 Wellington St, Covent Garden. Book here.

26. Watch a theatre show all about being single with Why Am I So Single? at the Garrick Theatre

By Lola Christina Alao

Why Am I So Single is a silly, fun exploration of a heartwarming friendship between two (very single) best friends. The show delves into the nuances of modern life through big songs, like ‘Meet Market’ about the mostly weird and not very often wonderful world of tinder and hinge, where they poke fun at all the generic prompts by men — like ‘I like good coffee and good company’ and “south London born and bred’.

It makes its target audience very clear with references that you’d only understand if you’re a zillennial (people born three years before the end of the millennial generation or three years into Gen Z) – ‘who even uses Facebook anymore? It’s all about vine!’. Through all the humour though, they give an incredibly vulnerable performance that explores themes of grief, trauma, class and belonging.

Tickets from £20. Until Thursday 13 February 2025, Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road. Book here. 

27. Enjoy a magical Harry Potter Afternoon Tea

Now it’s September, we’ve gone back to Hogwarts to experience a truly spell-binding afternoon tea. Surrounded by floating candles in the Great Hall at Warner Bros Studio, devour Molly Weasley’s sandwiches, butterbeer scones, and even a chocolate frog macaron. 

The Hogwarts pie, a beef brisket with flaky pastry, was like a mini Great Feast, but the sweets are the true stars — white chocolate and raspberry Golden Snitches, and a pumpkin loaf cake from Hagrid’s patch that was too cute to handle. The butterbeer scones are expecto patronYUM, with pockets of fudge and heavenly cream that would give Honeydukes a run for their money. Lupin’s chocolate macaron was the real chosen one, rich and perfectly crispy.

Maybe Professor Lupin was onto something with his chocolate obsession… My only wish? Some themed cutlery and plates to match the magical vibe like a grim tea cup, Umbridge’s kitschy collection, or something from the Black Manor vaults…

From £39.75pp, must be booked with a Studio Tour Ticket. Warner Bros Studio, Leavesden. Book here.

28. Try your luck at Hijingo Bingo

Forget what you thought about bingo – old ladies in a village hall this is most definitely not. Shoreditch’s futuristic Hijingo Bingo is now on Generation 2.0, which means even more neon lights, pumping dance music, and faintly unnerving Squid Games energy.

The new version is hosted by AVA, a smooth-voiced and slightly threatening AI bot, with two faceless ‘Hijingobots’ as her grooving assistants, who’ll guide you through two hours and six games of fast-paced bingo action. And if you win? Be brave and get up on stage – it’s time to show off your best dance moves for a chance to score anything from a robot vacuum to a holiday.

Don’t worry if you think your number crunching skills aren’t up to scratch (which they very well may not be after a couple of ‘Blade-Rummer’ cocktails), all called numbers are shown on the board, while masked helpers will double check your card to make sure you’ve not missed anything (or that you’re not staying quiet to avoid going onstage). It’s very fast, very fun, and completely bonkers. 

Tickets from £12 and food and beverage packages from £29. Book here.

See you next week!

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The Slice

What’s on in London. Trusted reviews, offers and giveaways.